- 2,800+ people scanned, and 21 weapons seized in Central Qld in six months of Jack's Law, a key reform Labor planned to let expire.
- Permanent, statewide wanding powers now allow police to scan for weapons in all public places.
- Backed by strong frontline uptake, Jack's Law is stopping knife crime before it starts and honouring Jack Beasley's legacy from Cairns to Coolangatta.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and rebuilding the frontline after a decade of decline under Labor.
Police have scanned 2,876 people, seized 21 weapons, made 20 arrests and laid 32 charges in Central Queensland during the six months since Jack's Law was expanded and made permanent by the Crisafulli Government.
New data shows a sharp increase in the use of wanding powers compared with the same six-month period a year prior, when the laws were restricted and temporary.
Under Labor, Capricornia Police scanned 252 people and removed four weapons.
Since the Crisafulli Government delivered permanent, statewide powers, police have conducted 2,624 additional scans and seized 17 more weapons.
The increase reflects strong frontline confidence to use the powers wherever knife crime poses a risk.
By expanding Jack's Law, police can now use hand-held metal detectors in all public places across Central Queensland, rather than a limited list of prescribed locations, dramatically increasing their ability to detect weapons and intervene early.
After a decade under Labor marked by weakened laws, restricted powers and rising knife crime, the Crisafulli Government acted decisively to give police the tools and authority they need to do their jobs.
Today's milestone follows the Crisafulli Government's $1 million investment to secure the future of the Jack Beasley Foundation's 'One Moment' program, ensuring thousands of Queensland students continue to hear Jack's story and understand the consequences of knife crime.
Jack's Law is named in honour of 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed at Surfers Paradise in 2019.
His parents Brett and Belinda Beasley have since campaigned tirelessly to prevent other families experiencing the same tragedy.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the results showed the laws were working.
"In just six months, police in Central Queensland have scanned 2,876 people and taken 21 weapons off our streets - that's real prevention, not rhetoric, which Queenslanders saw during Labor's decade of decline," Minister Purdie said.
"Labor wanted Jack's Law to lapse, but we made it permanent and gave police the powers they've been asking for, and now, other jurisdictions are following us.
"Every weapon seized is a potential life saved, and that's how we honour Jack Beasley's legacy."
Brett Beasley said the results reinforced the importance of the law.
"Every knife removed from the street is a potential tragedy prevented," Mr Beasley said.
"We'll never know whose life was protected, but we do know these laws are stopping violence before it happens."
Member for Rockhampton and Assistant Minister for Central Queensland Donna Kirkland MP said this six-month milestone was just the start for a safer Queensland for all.
"Queenslanders called out for tougher laws, and safer cities for their children to grow up in – this law is just one key change that has, and will continue to make a world of difference," Mrs Kirkland said.
"As a mother and grandmother, I feel much safer knowing Jack's Law has already taken so many dangerous weapons off our streets."
Belinda Beasley said Jack's legacy would endure.
"Jack's Law is about protecting young people and giving families peace of mind," Mrs Beasley said.
"We're grateful to police who use these powers every day, and to the Crisafulli Government for listening, acting and making this law permanent."
Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski commended frontline police for their extensive work in leveraging Jack's Law to tackle knife crime.
"Every knife taken off the street makes our community safer, and these results reflect the tireless work of our police," Commissioner Gollschewski said.
"Having expanded powers has enhanced our frontline police's ability to better prevent, detect and disrupt crime, and keep Queensland safe."
